5 Maintenance Tips To Get Your Car Ready For Fall

These 5 maintenance tips will help you prepare your vehicle for the Fall

Inspect your brakes. As the weather gets colder and inclement weather begins, good brakes become much more essential to your driving safety. Due to the road conditions typically associated with the Fall season, such as more rain, leaves falling, and the drop in temperature, the hazards for stopping are increased. A brake inspection should be completed by an experienced and trained technician to provide you with information that will not only determine if the brakes are in good condition but also if they will last throughout the Fall season.

While you're having your brakes inspected, be sure to ask the technician to inspect all four tires. You also want to have your tires rotated to not only prepare for the Fall season but the season after - Winter. Although snow doesn't normally occur during Fall, your tires should be rotated to ensure that they wear evenly, which can save you money. Typically, the tire inspection and rotation can be done for no charge when completed with a brake inspection or brake repair. You should also check the air pressure to ensure all four tires meet the manufacturer's recommended psi level. Keep in mind that the air pressure can decrease by 2 psi's when the outside temperature drops, especially in the morning. Therefore, it's best to check the pressure at random times of the day and be mindful of the temperature, prior to adding additional air.

Complete a battery check. Once the temperature begins to plummet, the battery becomes very vulnerable for being to start your vehicle. A weak battery will almost certainly fail, upon a substantial drop in temperature. A battery check includes having all battery cells inspected for the quality condition as well as a visual inspection and cleaning the battery terminals. A battery that has acid corrosion built up on the terminals can be just as vulnerable as a weak battery.

Check your coolant fluid level and refill as necessary. One of the main causes of a vehicle breakdown during the Fall season is due to a low coolant level. You also want to inspect your coolant hoses for cuts and quality condition. The coolant hoses should be firm. If you see any form of green liquid around the hoses or on the ground, be sure to have your vehicle checked by a technician, as this may indicate a coolant leak. IMPORTANT: You should never check your coolant fluid level when your engine is hot.

Perform a visual inspection of all essential parts and replace them as necessary. A good inspection includes checking the wiper blades, headlamps, tail lights, and air filter. The Fall season is the ideal time to assess essential parts and to determine whether they need replacing before the weather begins to become more adverse. Generally speaking, the inspection can even be done as a do-it-yourself type of maintenance. You should also check your oil fluid level or schedule to have an oil change if it is due.

If you're interested in more information about Fall maintenance for your vehicle, please reach out to the staff at Joe Myers Mazda. Our staff will be more than happy to answer your questions or assist with your vehicle preparation for the Fall season. Feel free to stop by or give us a call soon!